Euronews

Scouring the streets of Vatican City for more opinions on Pope Francis, euronews could not help but notice the light blue and white flag flying above the Argentine embassy.

Inside the courtyard, we encountered someone who has worked there for 30 years. Indeed, Efrain Escumendosa has met Jorge Mario Bergoglio several times.

“Whenever he arrived here at the embassy he was like a saint, very humble,” he said. “He never wanted great things. He has always been respectful both of the children and of the adults.”

Judging from some reports about the new pope’s preference for public transport, Vatican chauffeurs may be fearing for their jobs.

The Argentine Ambassador’s driver told us: “Yesterday when he went back to Santa Marta residence after the conclave he didn’t take the official car, he took the minibus together with the other cardinals.”

He went on to describe Pope Francis as a “walking saint”, a “spectacular person” with the “strong character” necessary to reform the Curia.

Euronews correspondent at the Vatican, Simona Volta, said: “Those who know him, describe him as a very simple and humble person. We’ll see what first steps that Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Bergoglio, will make.”